MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 1

Santa Teresa representatives accept the Australian Sustainable Communities Tidy Town Award Santa Teresa is Australia’s most sustainable community Teamwork across the entire community won Santa Teresa the 2019 Australian Sustainable “We think this is the best place Communities Tidy Town Award. A common to live in Central Australia, goal from the residents, Atyenhenge Atherre we love it here ” Aboriginal Corporation (AAAC), the Ltyentye Phillip Alice Apurte Catholic Education Centre and the Local Authority Chair MacDonnell Regional Council was key to this Santa Teresa success.

Santa Teresa was judged to be the best in Australia for community-led projects that focus on environmental sustainability and resource management.

PAGES 6-9: All the Tidy Town awards and photos PAGES 14-17: Youth Boards in action INSIDE PAGE 19: Do you want help with digital devices? MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 2

Welcome to MacDonnell Regional Council, CEO UPDATE

Wow, so much has been happening since our last edition. Whilst there has been great achievements and celebration within our communities, we have also been hit with great loss.

Congratulations to Santa Teresa on their 2019 Australian Sustainable Communities Tidy Town Award. The hard work and effort put in by the whole community has been rewarded and the community will see the benefits of these initiatives for years to come. We are now working to a new normal as we look forward to hosting next year’s Tidy Towns national finalists in Santa Teresa.

Sadly, we also lost two great men from our lives. The passing of Mr S Anderson and Mr B Abbott has left a hole in our hearts. Their contribution to the lives of so many Central Australians could never be adequately covered on this page. It was my great honour and privilege to work closely with them both. Their advice and counsel will stay with me forever. On behalf of the President, Councillors and staff of MacDonnell Regional Council, we will honour their memory and try to live up to the standards they set.

Jeff MacLeod, Chief Executive Officer, MacDonnell Regional Council

CEO in action: CEO Jeff MacLeod took the opportunity to help out in Finke LEFT: Jeff directs the backhoe RIGHT: Keith Hassett, Kenneth Hayes and Jeff find the best attachment point MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 3

Sarah Gallagher and Daphne Puntjina at the Aboriginal Early Childhood Conference Relationships shine for our kids As the beautiful sounds of a traditional Pitjantjatjara song spread through to the workshop next door, all present fell silent. Once Local Authority member and Songkeeper Daphne Puntjina and MacCare Team Leader and Local Authority member Sarah Gallagher had sung the last note, the crowd rushed next door to see who had been singing. Word quickly spread throughout the Aboriginal Early Childhood Conference about the workshop performance from the Areyonga ladies. Sarah was then invited on stage to help launch the latest Cheeky Dogs book illustrated by Dion Beasley. Like an experienced performer she confidently read from Dion’s book to an audience of around 800 people. Then niece and auntie asked permission to sing a Pitjantjatjara children’s song to the crowded hall. Singing in perfect harmony, they impressed the audience and many were brought to tears.

The team of Daphne, Sarah, Early Learning Team Leader Estefania Fernandez Diaz and MacKids Coordinator Helen Fitzgerald had flown to Sydney to share the story of the culturally rich and relevant Early Learning Centre program in Areyonga.

The team presented a workshop highlighting the importance for newcomers to connect with Elders in community. Continued on the next page… MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 4 Connection with Elders so important Continued from previous page… Also in the workshop presented to the Aboriginal Early Childhood Conference, Estefania explained how the Areyonga Elders became her trusted mentors and now regularly visit the centre bringing their language, art, stories, weaving and songs to share with the kids and their families. Their presence provides the authenticity and the authority for the younger women to fully participate in these activities. To tell this story of the program, where relationships allow the space for families to gather and develop their skills, the team used a huge suitcase of handmade kids’ resources and a bucket of red desert sand. Preparing stories for the conference The wider field of mainstream early childhood educators had a rare opportunity to glimpse traditional ways of raising children in Central “One afternoon I was sitting all Australia and the value that follows when the team leader facilitates from behind. At the same by myself on the basketball time, a deeper understanding between MacKids court doing chalk drawings on and MacCare emerged as the 2 Team Leaders the ground, when Peggy began planning joint projects to introduce more Gallagher came over to say Elders into the early learning program. ‘Hello’. Later she took me to BELOW LEFT: Estefania Diaz creating learning resources meet the other old ladies and RIGHT: Display of the handmade teaching resources they taught me a song I could sing with the kids in Pitjantjatjara.” Estefania Fernandez Diaz MacKids Early Learning Team Leader Areyonga MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 5 Amazing work Rachel Kantawara 1st female Aboriginal ESO for MacDonnell Regional Council and the Southern Region Rachel has been recognised for her hard work and dedication in her appointment as Essential Service Officer (ESO) in Hermannsburg. Rachel started with the Council in October 2017 in administration and continues as a Centrelink Agent. She has stood in as acting Council Services Coordinator as she trained to become an ESO. The Service Delivery team and the community will continue to benefit from the high standards that Rachel has already shown in the team’s maintenance and servicing of power, water and sewerage infrastructure. BELOW FROM LEFT: Hermannsburg Coordinator Kathleen Abbot and Rachel, Rachel performing her ESO duties, Rachel and Mark O’Bryan (ESO) who will be a great team

Leading and reflecting Hermannsburg Local Authority member Rex Kantawara has recently completed the First Circles Leadership Program. The Government program supports emerging Aboriginal leaders from across remote communities and gives them the opportunity to meet with the NT Government Cabinet to discuss solutions and opportunities for government to work with remote communities. Rex said it gave him an opportunity to open up his mind and share his knowledge. A future project that Rex would like to work on is the support of young men through respect and connection with community Elders.

“Once you've learnt this lesson, you can do anything. Only you can make it happen.” Rex Kantawara Local Authority Member Rex Kantawara with his First Circle plaque Hermannsburg MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 6

Santa Teresa cleans up at Keep Australia Beautiful Awards “MacDonnell Council staff, community Elders, key stakeholders and residents of Santa Teresa demonstrated great community pride and leadership in community culture and heritage, local sustainability practices and education, and set a wonderful example for other remote Australian townships to follow,” Northern Territory Keep Australia Beautiful CEO Heimo Schober said. At the Keep Australia Beautiful Tidy Town Awards in Smithton, Tasmania, Santa Teresa won the following award categories: Litter Prevention, Environmental Communication and Engagement, Community Health, Wellbeing and Interest and Young Legends: Group as well as being highly commended for: Resource Recovery and Waste Management

AAAC is a great example of the Santa Teresa community’s self determination and was central to them winning the Community Health, Wellbeing and Interest category through their range of programs that include a men’s shed, hair salon, nutrition, horse and a pregnant women and young mums program.

BELOW: Mervyn Young, Darren Young and Nora Hayes talk about Santa Teresa’s initiatives MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 7

“We have done a lot of things at school. The kids have designed posters that reminds everyone to pick up rubbish and how to recycle.” Nora Hayes Traditional Owner and Assistant Teacher Santa Teresa The great work of the Ltyentye Apurte Catholic Education Centre was recognised in winning the Litter Prevention category while the tireless work of its Deputy Principal Justin Colley helped the school’s student representative council win the Young Legends category. Through consultation with community leaders, stakeholders and residents MacDonnell Regional Council undertook to assist young people to best understand how their community can be more sustainable and empower them to guide environmental decisions into the future. To help make this happen, MacDonnell Regional Council engaged the creators behind the ABC children’s television presenters – dirtgirl, scrapboy and Costa the garden gnome – and acquired their Get Grubby program for use in the Council’s early learning centres and participating schools. The enthusiasm of the television presenters and the application of this program throughout the community saw Santa Teresa win the Environmental Communication and Engagement category.

The new waste management facility shows which is best practice in remote Australia shows MacDonnell Regional Council’s commitment to the environment It is the result of 2 years of negotiations with Traditional Owners to find the best location for the facility to have the lowest possible impact on the environment. This undertaking received a Highly Commended award in the Resource Recovery and Waste Management category.

National awards hosted by Santa Teresa next year Santa Teresa will host the 2020 Keep Australia Beautiful Tidy Town Awards, providing an exciting opportunity to showcase Australia’s most sustainable community. Healthy competition between the 13 communities making up the MacDonnell Regional Council has long been embraced and resulted in success in the awards in the past. Finke has previously been named Territory Tidy Town in 1998 and again in 2017, while Areyonga received the Territory Tidy Town award in 2016. MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 8 Congratulations Santa Teresa Tidy Town Awards received with a celebratory BBQ

The team arrives back in Alice with the trophy Local Authority Chair Phillip Alice MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 9 MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 10 Excelling in waste management Santa Teresa Landfill and Remediation Project is best practice for remote Australia

ABOVE: Newly constructed landfill site LEFT: Community drop-off bays

Several years ago, it was identified that Santa Teresa needed a new landfill site because the current site was on lands of cultural significance and next to one of the community’s water systems. With support from the Traditional Owners and Santa Teresa Local Authority, Regional Waste Manager Michael Davis designed a new landfill site based on the Central Australian Landfill Operations Manual. Once sacred site and approval was given for the new site, clearing work commenced in December 2018 and construction was completed in June 2019. The new site consists of a 24 hour community drop-off area, a council compound, 2 general waste pits, sediment ponds, ground water channels and firebreaks. Local workers get job done While contractors were engaged to construct the fencing, drop-off bays and all-weather roads. All other work was completed MacDonnell Regional Council staff. Construction and remediation was completed by Paul Fly from Hermannsburg, Mervyn Young from Santa Teresa and Graeme Miller. LEFT: MacDonnell Regional Council’s Mervyn Young and Graeme Miller MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 11 Remediation of the old waste management facility site Before: The old waste site

ABOVE AND RIGHT: Old waste site

The old waste site was not up to standard, a result of contractor dumping and the landfill design with contaminated stockpiles of construction and demolition materials, green waste, tyres, abandoned vehicles and scrap metals. The remediation of the old site involved cleaning up the site so there would be no further risk of damage to the environment. This included the separation and recycling of scrap metal, burial of waste in constructed pits and cleaning water sources of dumped waste.

After: Completed remediation / clean up BELOW AND RIGHT: The old site after the remediation works. MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 12 Communities come together for children and families MacKids has recently facilitated a workshop with NAPCAN (National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect) to develop strategies to keep children safe in Haasts Bluff and Mt Liebig. The participants from all parts of the community mapped support and services in their area, discussing what they liked in their communities and what they would like to change. This led to the identification of key actions for Haasts Bluff and Mt Liebig to provide the best place possible for children and families.

ABOVE: NAPCAN National Manager Prevention Strategies Lesley Taylor facilitates the discussion in Haasts Bluff BELOW: Community members come together to discuss providing the best care for children and families MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 13 Actions for children and families Drawing from the power of the Tangentyere Womens Family Safety Group campaign about boys and girls and men and women as equal, Haasts Bluff identified their own messages and posters which included:

BELOW: Strengths identified about Haasts Bluff

Mt Liebig key messages to be made into posters: Know Where Your Children Are Play with Kids – Not Cards Clinic is a Safe Place for children and families Childcare is a Safe Place for children and families Men Can – Be gentle, change nappies, clean and cook Women Can – Change tyres, play footie, work hard MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 14 The future is in good hands Young leaders step up for their communities

Hermannsburg Youth Board meeting Youth in communities have a platform through Youth Boards (YB) to discuss issues that are relevant to them, develop strategies, contribute ideas for activities and organise events in their communities. Youth Boards are designed to give young people living in communities a space for group discussions and to be a part of decision-making processes. Young people develop skills in governance and have the opportunity to assist MacYouth teams to shape programs to best meet their needs. Youth Boards have developed their own guidelines for meetings and projects and members are trained in chairing meetings, taking minutes and developing agendas. These skills and experience become valuable to the community as young people move into future leadership positions. MacYouth has supported the establishment of Youth Boards across 9 funded sites including , Areyonga, Haasts Bluff, Hermannsburg, Kintore, Mount Liebig, Papunya, Santa Teresa and .

Guidelines for youth led projects Kintore Youth Board 1. Let everyone have a say! Shared communication at meetings 2. Creating a safe place for youth to speak and share ideas 3. Respecting other people’s opinions and ideas 4. Positive attitudes and positive behaviours 5. Inclusion: ensuring everyone is included equally in meeting and activities 6. Encouragement of everyone 7. Caring and kindness MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 15

Netball NT visit in Titjikala Rodinga Ward Youth Boards in action In 2018, MacYouth worked alongside Youth Boards to submit a proposal for funding to the NT Government Department of Health. MacYouth was awarded $130,000 to distribute among the 9 Youth Boards. This allowed the Youth Boards to determine how the funds would be best used in their communities. These projects were funded through the NT Government Department of Health and informed by Youth Boards: Amoonguna: Pool visits to for all youth, set up music room with new instruments. Santa Teresa: held weekly family discos and pool parties for all to attend. The YB invested in a multi-use bike restoration stand which can be used by the whole community to repair bikes. Titjikala: The YB designed a variety of teenage specific programs for 15-18 year olds and introduced a wider variety of sports including netball. Netball NT were invited to travel out to Titjikala to stay overnight and provide upskilling and training. The YB acquired a drone to undertake land mapping and surveillance activities.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Amoonguna Youth space; Santa Teresa pool day; Santa Teresa bike station MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 16

Participants at the “Bikes Palya” and MacYouth 4 day bike mechanic workshop in Hermannsburg Ljirapinta and Iyarrka Ward Youth Boards in action

These projects were funded through the NT Government Department of Health and informed by Youth Boards: Areyonga: YB designed positive mental health programs such as overnight camping trips and set up a music room. Hermannsburg: YB designed a teenage specific drop in centre for all youth to have access to a safe and secure space. YB collaborated with Bikes Palya and MacYouth to deliver a 4 day bike mechanic workshop. The YB designed and printed basketball jerseys.

Young people from Santa Teresa, Haasts Bluff and Hermannsburg at Barunga Festival MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 17

Youth board training Pintubi Ward Youth Boards in action

These projects were funded through the NT Government Department of Health and informed by Youth Boards: Haasts Bluff: out-of-community trip to positively engage youth, including Barunga Culture and Music Festival, Parrtjima light and culture festival and the Desert Park. Kintore: YB focused on school attendance strategies, softball competition and identifying safe and secure places youth can stay if they don’t have a safe place to sleep. The YB have been designing and planning a new skate ramp and other upgrades to increase youth activity at the local hall. Mount Liebig: The YB designed and helped facilitate positive mental health programs including overnight camping trips and traditional hunting and gathering programs. The YB worked with the community to set up a music room for all youth to access. Papunya: The YB designed renovations to the existing youth spaces to increase youth engagement and included upgrades to the Maku Shed. The YB requested additional programming hours to deliver separate men’s and women’s health nights and organised positive mental health camping trips. BELOW LEFT: Kintore skate ramp action; BELOW RIGHT: Mount Liebig music room MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 18 Keeping youth on The Right Track

caption

Headline Kintore bush trip

MacYouth will be delivering The Right Track “Youth diversion means a Youth Diversion Program for the next 2 years second chance to be with after securing funding from Territory Families. family and not go to jail” MacYouth will provide this service to young Reggie Lankin people who are either at-risk or already in MacYouth Team Leader contact with the justice system. Hermannsburg The Right Track program will build on existing diversionary initiatives which aim to deter youth “Youth diversion helps from offending and preventing them from young people do better entering the juvenile justice system. It will be run things and make across all 9 MacYouth sites: Amoonguna, better choices” Areyonga, Haasts Bluff, Hermannsburg, Kintore, Jocelyn Andy Mount Liebig, Papunya, Santa Teresa and MacYouth Youth Service Officer Titjikala for youth aged 10-18 years. Papunya As part of The Right Track program, MacYouth will recruit a new Case Manager to deliver intensive case management, run cultural camps in partnership with Creating a Safe, Supportive Environment (CASSE) and the Men’s Tjilirra Movement. The program encourages strong family relationships and positive mentors for each participant. MacYouth will continue to provide training to local staff on trauma-informed-practice and best-practice case management and advocacy for the ongoing needs of youth and their families. Referrals can be made for young people (aged 10 to 17 years) by family / community members, police, school, MacYouth staff, other community agencies (both non-government and government) as well as by the young person themselves. To refer a young person to The Right Track please email [email protected] for a referral form or call 0457 598 834 MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 19 Do you want help with using digital devices? MacConnect is here to teach residents and staff how to use digital devices MacConnect is travelling to all MacDonnell Regional Council communities developing residents and staff skills in digital literacy and digital safety. The goals of the program are to provide safe connected access to the internet, digital education and content contribution. The program is funded through NT Libraries ad will ensure on-going safe and secure free public access to the internet through the NT Libraries public WiFi Hot-Spots. MacConnect Project Officer Gordon Marshall is out and about running smartphone workshops for the Community Safety staff in Amoonguna, Titjikala, Areyonga, Hermannsburg and Haasts Bluff. Together, they developed a process of taking photos of timesheets and sending them in electronically which has been working well. Gordon has also been setting up and running Pop-Up workshops on The Basics and Starting Out with tablets and smartphones for MyGov, the Yarnsafe website and Aboriginal multimedia art. Some residents with Alzheimer’s have made a great workshop suggestion to use digital devices for film, “A highlight for me has music and art. been the over-55 aged residents wishing to be filmed at their choir in Haasts Bluff” Gordon Marshall MacConnect Project Officer

ABOVE: Amoonguna MacSafe Community Safefy with Gordon (right)

LEFT: Titjikala MacSafe Community Safety with Gordon (right) MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 20 MacSafe supporting sports weekends

MacSafe Teams from Finke, Titjikala and Santa Teresa with community members at The Yarning Circle at the Community Safety Building

This year, MacSafe has revamped its participation in Community Sports Weekends. Community Safety Coordinators and Team Leaders have been a driving force for planning meetings for Santa Teresa, Finke, Hermannsburg and Papunya Sports Weekends. These meetings involved liaising with community organisers, AFL NT, NT Police, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, MacDonnell Regional Council services, Local Authorities and other local stakeholders. By the community working together they have increased community safety and decreased incidents during the events. Key elements have included the extension of normal patrol hours, traffic management with NT Police, crowd control, foot patrols and a MacSafe free water station to promote good health. July was a busy month for the Papunya community safety team with the community organising one of the largest sports weekends in our region in some time. The team spent several weeks planning strategies for the event. As requested by the sports committee, they were able to draw on 4 additional MacSafe teams from Kintore, Mount Liebig, Hermannsburg and Haasts Bluff. The teams totalled almost 50 years of experience between them all! The teams met and worked collaboratively with local NT police, delivering 12 hours of daily and nightly patrol. The team responded to several issues during the event, with no serious incidents taking place. NT Police made a note of the MacSafe joint operation in their subsequent reports, mentioning the great work all the teams had done. We thank the community safety officers for their hard work during the festivities. Continued on next page… MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 21

MacSafe teams from Hermannsburg, Papunya, Haasts Bluff, Santa Teresa at Hermannsburg Sports Weekend

During the Finke Sports weekend a Yarning Circle was set up outside the Community Safety Office. Many community members joined Community Safety Officers around The Yarning Circle with a highlight being one of the Aboriginal riders from the Finke Desert Race Motorbike section telling the teams about his ride down the old Ghan track from Alice Springs to Finke that day. It also enabled all the Community Safety officers from the different communities a warm friendly space to share their stories of how best to patrol the sports carnival from their personal experiences. The firelight attracted the passing NT Police and their horse patrols who came and sat with the Community Safety workers to discuss the issues they would like support with during the evening.

Recognition for assisting to increase school attendance MacSafe teams in Kintore, Docker River and Santa Teresa received letters of commendation from the Northern Territory Government Department of Education in reference to their support provided to schools, parents and children. Each team assisted in increasing school attendance.

Santa Teresa MacSafe Team with Docker River MacSafe Team with Santa Teresa’s School Principal Docker River’s School Principal MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 22 Building for the future

Aerial view of Papunya and the new Service Delivery Centre The new Papunya Service Delivery Centre (SDC) has been completed and will be essential for the delivery of valued and relevant MacDonnell Regional Council services.

Exterior of the new SDC in Papunya using all of the MacDonnell Regional Council secondary colour palette MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 23 Inside the new Papunya SDC

ABOVE: Interior of the new Papunya SDC New staff housing These new buildings were funding through a NT Strategic Local Government Infrastructure Fund Grant.

RIGHT: New design for staff housing in Haasts Bluff containing 2 joined 2.5 bedroom units.

BELOW AND BOTTOM RIGHT: New duplex of 2 separate 1 bedroom open plan units for staff in Papunya. MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 24 Pools upgraded and ready for summer

LEFT: Excitement for the Areyonga pool upgrade BELOW: Completed Areyonga pool upgrade

Major works have been undertaken at Areyonga and Santa Teresa for the first time since MacDonnell Regional Council has operated the pools thanks to a major Federal Government grant from the Australian Sport Commission. Both pools were emptied, the surface ground back, resurfaced with appropriate compounds, new tiling installed and the pools refilled. A number of leaks were detected and rectified at both pools, significantly saving future water use. Benefits of pools in community include positive mental and physical health, including ear, eye and skin health, school attendance, being a community hub and a supervised, positive and safe environment. BELOW: Santa Teresa pool upgrade complete MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 25

From left to right: Donelle CT Fraser, Kate Gilbert, Cristiano Castro, Belinda Malone(front), Kiri Milne and Nic Avela prepare to become the desert’s best. Councils combine to turn up the heat

MacDonnell Regional Council and Alice Springs Town Council combined as the Desert Heat team and won the NT segment of the Australasian Management Challenge. The Desert Heat team went on to compete against winners from other local government jurisdictions from across Australia, New Zealand and Korea. Congratulations to Donelle (CT) Fraser, Manager Service Centre Delivery; Cristiano Castro, Coordinator Community Safety; and Belinda Malone, Coordinator Youth Services, and Alice Springs Town Council members, Kate Gilbert, Library Team Leader; Kiri Milne, Community Development Officer; and Nic Avela, Acting Supervisor Municipal Services. The participants learnt and put to practice decision making for local government to find solutions and turn problems into opportunities. It allowed councils from around Australia to share how they operate where other councils were impressed with how much differently MacDonnell Regional Council needs to operate.

“I plan to use some of the tools for learning and decision making from the challenge with the teams I support in MacYouth” Belinda Malone MacYouth Coordinator Youth Services MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 26

IN MEMORY A true leader Thank you Mr S Anderson On behalf of the President, Councillors, Executive and staff of MacDonnell Regional Council it is with great sadness we acknowledge the passing of Mr S Anderson. Mr S Anderson was well known and highly regarded throughout Central Australia and particularly in the Western MacDonnell districts as a respected leader among his people. He is widely known for his tireless advocacy and as a servant to his community of Papunya, the Luritja Pintubi Ward and the MacDonnell Regional Council. Having worked with the Department of Local Government in the development of the shires, he became a foundation member of the MacDonnell Shire Council (as it was then called), when elected to serve as a councillor of the Luritja Pintubi Ward. Within the first year he was appointed as Council’s principal member by his fellow elected members holding the position of President for seven years. He was twice re-elected as the councillor of the Luritja Pintubi Ward and twice re-appointed as the President of MacDonnell Regional Council. He stepped down as President in February 2016 to allow himself more time to focus on his local ward. For personal reasons he retired from his service to the MacDonnell Regional Council as a councillor in May last year. Under his leadership the MacDonnell Regional Council found its direction as a local government council and has emerged as a leader among its peers. Central to his achievements has always been his desire to have local people delivering local services – this is reflected in MacDonnell Regional Council maintaining a consistently high Aboriginal workforce, between 75 – 80%, in real and meaningful employment. Other achievements under his leadership include promoting and supporting the community based Aboriginal workforce “I have learnt so much from him. into leadership roles along with delivering Over the years he has been a mentor and improving both core and non-core and a confidant. Mr S Anderson was local government services in 13 remote always quietly spoken, but when he Aboriginal communities across one of the spoke, people listened. country’s largest council jurisdictions. As a foundation member of He defined MacDonnell Regional Council MacDonnell Regional Council, through his leadership and by his he helped set our direction and worked example. tirelessly to improve the quality of life for Aboriginal people” Mr S Anderson served on numerous Jeff MacLeod representative bodies across the region Chief Executive Officer and always held a special and personal MacDonnell Regional Council focus on the Papunya Football Club and the promotion of Western Desert community football. He was a life member of the Central Australian Football League. MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 27

IN MEMORY Mr B Abbott Advocate and supporter for all young people

Mr B Abbott was a proud Pertarme man, born and bred on Pertarme Country. Mr B Abbott was a cattleman through and through and while working on the stations he embraced his culture and travelled far and wide, learning from his Elders the cultural knowledge and sense of place that guided him throughout his long life. He became a legendary horseman along the way and was always celebrating his cultural identity and passing on his knowledge to his family and young people.

In the early 1990s Mr B Abbott “When I think about the legacy that moved further south from his Mr B Abbott leaves us with, it was his ability family’s land at , to support all young people in the grips of closer to the Finke River and substance misuse that stands out. established the outstation of Ilpurla. Mr B Abbott embraced everyone with his Through years of hard work and toil sense of responsibility to help youth across Mr B Abbott and his family Australia and advocate for their rights to established a facility at his avoid the criminal justice system” outstation Ilpurla a place where Yarran Cavalier young people could arrive, often Lifetime friend and traumatised, and be embraced by a MacSafe Coordinator Community Safety family that cared for them. Family was the cornerstone of Mr B Abbott’s life. All the young people who went to Ilpurla felt like they became members of an extended family with Mr B Abbott as their grandfather. He also spent endless amounts of time in the courtroom sitting beside young people to support them during their court appearance. Mr B Abbott was a passionate campaigner for young people who always found time to support and advocate on their behalf.

Representing Ljirapinta Ward (via “Mr B Abbot suffered fools lightly and Wallace Rockhole) as a Councillor, expressed dismay at the ever changing Mr B Abbott’s passion for Aboriginal boundaries that governed his people rights was expressed in meetings with and the young people he cared for. a fervour and verve that unsettled, and Endless promises broken by at the same time, inspired many. government filled him with disdain if they didn’t follow through with their end of the bargain” Yarran Cavalier Lifetime friend and MacSafe Coordinator Community Safety MacDonnell Regional Council thanks Mr B Abbott for his passionate advocacy for Aboriginal recognition and young people and families in Central Australia and sends sincere condolences to the Abbott family. MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 28

Upcoming Local Authority Meetings

With the last round of Local Authorities for the year, thank you to the members for their continued attendance at these important meetings that gives MacDonnell Regional Council direction and for their leadership and decision-making.

Month Communities

September Amoonguna, Docker River and Titjikala October Kintore, Areyonga, Hermannsburg, Wallace Rockhole and Santa Teresa November Imanpa, Finke, Haasts Bluff, Mount Liebig and Papunya

For meeting dates, agendas and minutes. Please check the website: www.macdonnell.nt.gov.au

Sammy Butcher in action at the Papunya Local Authority meeting in the new Papunya Service Delivery Centre MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 29

Community leaders wanted for upcoming Council by-election

A Council by-election will be held in the future for the Ljirapinta Ward

If you are from Hermannsburg or Wallace Rockhole and would like more information, talk to the Council Service Coordinators Kathy Abbott or Max Baliva

or contact Darren on 8958 9627 or Bre on 8958 9635 from the Governance team MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 30

Regional Plan approved and released

The MacDonnell Regional Council (MRC) 2019-20 Regional Plan has been approved by the Council and is available at MRC offices and on the website at: https://www.macdonnell.nt.gov.au/about/regional-plans

The Regional Plan is developed every year after consultation with the MacDonnell Regional Council community and is how we will deliver Our Vision, Mission and Goals.

We thank Mr S Anderson and Mr B Abbott for their direction and leadership in the development of Our Vision:

Their legacy will guide us in Our Mission: MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 31

SERVICE RECOGNITION RECIPIENTS

10 Year Service Awards Rohan Marks – Director Community Services Jenny Murnik – Senior Community Services Administration Officer

ABOVE: Rohan Marks (left) and Jenny Murnik (right) receive their 10 Year Service Awards from CEO Jeff MacLeod

7 Year Service Terry Alice - Senior Community Safety Officer – Santa Teresa Ruth Tahere - Technical Services Administration Officer - Alice Springs 5 Year Service Glenn Dixon – Works Assistant - Amoonguna Sarah Gallagher - Team Leader Home Care – Areyonga 2 Year Service Leanne Bennett – Early Learning Educator – Mount Liebig Janie Campbell - Team Leader Home Care - Titjikala Ricky Doolan - Works Assistant – Titjikala Camilla Hayes - Youth Services Officer – Santa Teresa Druscella Kantawarra - Early Learning Educator – Papunya Francis Marshall – Works Assistant – Haasts Bluff Justina Okafor – Team Leader Children’s Services – Docker River MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 32

STOP PRESS GOVERNANCE NOTICES

Ljirapinta Ward by-election (Hermannsburg and Wallace Rockhole) See page 29 for details.

Local Authority meetings Last round of the year will begin soon. See page 28 for dates and details

Don’t feed the pigs any meat. It’s bad for BIG THANKS community and animal health as this can spread disease. Special thanks go to all staff contributors for this issue. CLEAN FACES, STRONG EYES! The Trachoma team is coming to help keep eyes healthy, see the next page for dates.

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Email: [email protected] MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 33 MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 34 MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 35

SPORT Papunya Sport Weekend BELOW: Kintore women’s football team and MacSafe Kintore’s Adam Tjapaltjarri Gibson

Papunya Sports Weekend

RIGHT: Car art competition at Papunya Sports Weekend which was funded by Papunya Tjupi Art Centre MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 36

SPORT Lyentye Apurte (Santa Teresa) win the Country League Footy Premiership!

Photo courtesy of STEP BACK Photography / Charlie Lowson

Footy training in Areyonga getting ready for the MacYouth Central Cluster Footy Day MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 37

SPORT MacYouth Western Cluster Footy Day

TOP: Kintore crew getting ready to play; ABOVE: Mt Liebig team were great hosts MacDonnell Regional Council Staff Newsletter September 2019 volume 11 issue 1 page 38 SPORT 3-PEAT! MacYouth’s Ntaria Bulldogs softball team celebrate their 3rd consecutive Barunga Festival win

HISTORY MAKING For the 1st time, women played in the Papunya Sports Weekend with teams from Papunya, Santa Teresa, Kintore and . BELOW: Papunya Tjupi Women